Encyclopedia of Metals

Sterling Silver

Marked 925

Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% copper. This alloy strengthens pure silver, which is naturally soft, making it perfect for creating durable, long-lasting jewelry. There are other alloys of silver used in jewelry, such as Mexican silver, often marked 950 to denote a slightly higher purity.

Sterling silver is hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin. For most people, the 92.5% silver content won’t cause irritation. However, if your skin is extremely delicate, the small amount of copper in the alloy may trigger a reaction. In that case, we recommend gold, our most skin-friendly metal.

Sterling silver develops a patina as it reacts to moisture and sulfur in the air. The natural oils from your skin help prevent this, so sterling jewelry stays shiny when it's worn.

To restore its bright shine, simply use a polishing cloth. Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals like perfume, chlorine, and household cleaners. When not in use, store your sterling pieces in a dry, low-humidity environment.

A few of our sterling pieces are Rhodium plated to keep the silver from tarnishing; these pieces don't need or want to be polished.

Gold Plated Brass & Gold Vermeil

Our gold plated jewelry features a durable 2.5+ microns layer of 23.5 karat gold, carefully toned to match the rich color of 18 karat gold. Unlike thinner "flash" plating (less than 0.175 microns), this thicker plating is designed to last. However, any plating will be worn down over time with friction against surfaces and exposure to things like chemicals, cosmetics, or naturally occurring skin acids.

We use only nickel-free base metals such as sterling silver (called gold vermeil) or jeweler's brass.

On jewelry with an intact layer of gold plating, only 23.5k gold touches the skin, making them an excellent option for those with very sensitive skin.

To maintain the beauty of your gold plated pieces, store them in a soft pouch or jewelry box when not in use. We recommend removing them before showering, swimming, exercising, or applying skincare and cleaning products to prevent damage to the plating.

If you notice wear over time, replating services are available starting at $20 through our repairs portal.

Gold Fill

marked 14/20, GF

Gold fill jewelry features a thick layer of 14k gold that is heat- and pressure-bonded to a core of jeweler’s brass, or sometimes copper. Thanks to this unique bonding process, gold fill is more durable than even a thick gold plating.

In the United States, gold fill is required to be at least 5% gold (that's a lot). The gold layer will last for years with proper care.

Gold fill is an excellent choice for sensitive skin, as the outer layer is a substantial coating of 14k gold.

Heavy wear can expose the underlying brass, which very sensitive skin may react to. Brass has a copper content, which sometimes (temporarily) turns the skin green.

While gold fill jewelry is water-resistant, it’s best to remove it before swimming, showering, exercising, or applying skincare products. Chlorine and other chemicals degrade the gold layer over time. An exception to these rules is our Georgia Bangle, which can be worn during showers and workouts.

In areas where the core of brass is exposed, a polishing cloth works wonders.

Store your jewelry in a soft pouch or box when not being worn.

Solid Gold

Simply the best option for 24/7 jewelry wearers and those with sensitive skin. It is a pleasure for us to work with and for you to wear.

For over 5,000 years, gold has represented exceptional value and rarity in human culture. Gold was formed in the hearts of stars and present since the Earth’s creation, and is finite.

The karat system denotes the percentage of pure gold in the alloy. Higher karats offer a richer color, greater purity, and increased weight due to gold's density.

24 karat: 100% pure gold
22 karat: 91.7% gold. Marked 22k or 916.
18 karat: 75% gold. Marked 18k or 750.
14 karat: 58.3% gold. Marked 14k or 585.
10 karat: 41.6% gold. Marked 10k or 417.

The remaining percentage is made up of metals like silver, copper, and zinc.

Gold is the least reactive of all precious metals and pairs perfectly with your skin's pH. Please note that all of our gold alloys are nickel free except for white gold. For a nickel-free alternative to white gold, we recommend platinum.

Solid gold pieces are designed to last a lifetime and can be passed down for generations.

To ensure the longevity of these investment pieces, store them in a soft pouch or box when not in use.

We recommend protecting your gold from chlorine, which is corrosive, and other chemicals. Lower karats can be brightened with a polishing cloth.